The first call you make after an accident is the most important one, and it is not always to your own insurer. Who you file with first determines whether you pay a deductible, whether your rates are at risk, and how quickly you get paid. The steps below cover both situations
How to File a Car Insurance Claim
Updated: June 3, 2026
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Key Takeaways
Claims can be filed online, by phone or through an app. Don't wait, as most policies require prompt reporting, and delays can complicate or void coverage.
Filing with your own insurer is faster but your deductible applies. Filing against the at-fault driver's insurer is slower but requires no deductible from you.
Photographing all damage, documenting the scene and collecting witness contact information before you file strengthens your claim and reduces the chance of a dispute during the adjuster review.
How to File an Auto Insurance Claim
If You Are at Fault, Fault Is Disputed, or the Other Driver Is Uninsured
You are filing with your own insurer. Your deductible applies, and your rates may increase. Before filing, gather your policy number, the other driver's insurance info, police report number (if applicable), and photos of all damage. Documenting what to do at the scene before you file strengthens your claim and reduces the chance of a dispute.
If the Other Driver Is Clearly at Fault and Insured
You are filing against the other driver's insurer, not your own. No deductible. No rate impact. The tradeoff is time. Their insurer investigates before paying, and the process runs on their timeline, not yours. One mistake in the first two steps can cost more than the deductible you avoided.
Should You File a Car Insurance Claim? Pros & Cons to Consider
An at-fault accident raises your annual premium by an average of 45% to 57%, roughly $800 to $1,100 per year, and that increase stays on your record for three to five years. That means a single at-fault claim can add $2,400 to $5,500 to your total insurance cost before your rate resets.
Filing a claim can raise your rate even if you are not at fault. Some insurers treat any claim as a risk signal regardless of who caused the accident. Before filing with your own insurer, call and ask directly: "Does a not-at-fault claim trigger a rate review on my policy?" The answer varies by insurer.
- Do the math before you file: If your repair estimate minus your deductible is less than three years of projected rate increases, paying out of pocket costs less.
- Do not file if: Damage is minor and the repair cost minus your deductible is less than what you would pay in rate increases over three years.
- File immediately if: There are injuries, the other driver is uninsured, or property damage is significant enough that costs are unclear.
What to Expect After Filing a Car Insurance Claim
Your insurer must acknowledge receipt of your claim and begin an investigation. State law sets the deadline for your insurer to accept or deny a claim after it has received all documentation. Most states require a decision within 15 to 45 days. If your insurer exceeds that window without communication, file a complaint with your state insurance department. Check your state's insurance department website for the specific timeframe that applies.
Complex claims, multi-vehicle accidents or major structural damage take longer to assess.
What to Do If the Insurer Denies Your Claim
Request a written denial citing the specific policy exclusion. Review your policy language directly. The exclusion must be in writing. You can dispute by submitting additional documentation or requesting a formal re-evaluation. If the dispute is not resolved internally, file a complaint with your state insurance department or consult an attorney. The most common reasons for denial are late reporting, a stated policy exclusion, and insufficient evidence. Do not wait to dispute. Most states set a deadline for internal appeals.
How Car Insurance Claims Work: FAQs
If you're unsure whether to file, who to file with, or what to do if your claim is denied, these answers cover the most common decision points.
Decide first whether to file with your own insurer or the at-fault driver's insurer. This determines whether you pay a deductible and whether your rates are at risk. Then contact the appropriate insurer by phone, app, or online portal within 24 hours. Have your policy number, the other driver's insurance information, a police report number if filed, and photos ready.
Straightforward at-fault claims with clear documentation resolve in 3–7 days. Third-party claims against another driver's insurer typically take 1 to 3 weeks because the other insurer investigates fault before paying. Total-loss claims or disputed-fault cases can run several weeks. Responding to every adjuster request the same day is the fastest way to shorten the timeline.
If the other driver is at fault, you can file a third-party claim with their insurer or a first-party claim with your own insurer. Third-party claims take longer because the other insurer investigates fault before paying, but you won't owe a deductible if the claim is approved. First-party claims are faster but require paying your deductible upfront. If you're clearly not at fault and the other driver is insured, a third-party claim may save you money.
The main decision before filing is whether the cost of damage exceeds your deductible by enough to justify a potential rate increase. If another driver is at fault and you file a third-party claim with their insurer, your rates won't be affected. If you're filing with your own insurer, weigh the repair cost against your deductible and the likely rate impact. For minor damage where the repair cost is close to your deductible, paying out of pocket is often the better call. Rates after an at-fault claim can increase significantly; see MoneyGeek's rate analysis for current data.
MoneyGeek's editorial team researched how car insurance claims work using insurer policy documents, state insurance department guidelines, and industry data on claims timelines and rate impacts.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a licensed Property and Casualty (P&C) Insurance Producer in Connecticut, is MoneyGeek's resident expert in insurance and economics. He has spent nearly a decade covering the market, first at LendingTree and now at MoneyGeek, where he analyzes hundreds of carriers and millions of rates across auto, home, renters, health and life insurance.
His work has appeared in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR. He draws on independent cost and consumer experience data, and no insurance company partnerships affect his recommendations.
Mark studied at Boston College before earning a master's in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University. Before MoneyGeek, he worked in financial risk management at State Street. He's also a five-time “Jeopardy!” champion.